The main house
A stone house with a fascinating history dating from 1820 Glan Y Mawddach (translated to Mawddach Bank) was significantly extended and altered by Mr and Mrs Keithley at the turn of the 20th century who also laid out the exquisite gardens. In the early 1940s the property was purchased by Sir and Lady Clayton-Russon whom added the extensive glasshouses and the orangery. Country Life featured the house and garden in 1975 with the Princess Royal dining at the house duting an official visit to Barmouth in 1987. In the 21st century the house and gardens were sympathetically and carefully restored.

The sale of Glan y Mawddach offers a new purchaser the exciting opportunity to purchase a significant Welsh country house of immense poise and style set within a horticultural oasis of mature landscaped gardens and woodland with estuary access and private quay.

The elegant, gracious and well-appointed GII listed house has been completely renovated in recent years to a high standard including a bespoke kitchen with AGA, refurbished bathrooms and secondary glazing with a plethora of period features and exquisite details. These include oak flooring, plaster panelling, cornices and ornate ceiling roses, marble fireplaces, silver and ivory bell pushes, feature inset range to the Welsh parlour, stunning glazed lantern roof light, ornate architraves, panelled doors and a hand turned staircase.

The internal accommodation is sophisticated and distinguished with the three principle reception rooms, orangery and four bedrooms benefitting from superb panoramic estuary views. There is a further Welsh parlour, hallway opening to a snug, breakfast kitchen with laundry and plant room, back stairs leading to the butler’s pantry and linen room. The superb staircase with lantern light rises to the wide landing. Five double bedrooms, two bathrooms, two shower rooms and first floor library/bedroom 6 with staggering estuary views along with a self-contained one bedroom flat with side garden (ideal for staff/nanny/relative/teenage use) completes the accommodation.

General
Local Authority: Gwynedd
Services: Private water supply and mains electricity.
Oil fired central heating and AGA
Septic tank to main house
Council Tax:
House: Band I
Flat: Band A

Fixtures and Fittings: Only those items known as fixtures and fittings will be included in the sale. Certain items such as garden ornaments, carpets and curtains may be available by separate negotiation.
Wayleaves, rights of way and easements: The property will be sold subject to and with the benefit of all wayleaves, easements and rights of way, whether mentioned in these particulars or not.
Agents Note:
Public footpath: The Panorama Walk runs across the land and is bordered by a tall stone wall offering privacy.
Secondary Driveway: The neighbouring cottage enjoys a right of access across part of the secondary driveway only

The gardens, grounds and woodland
An exceptional feature of Glan Y Mawddach are the extensive Grade II* listed gardens which were designed and planted by Mrs Keithley in the early years of the twentieth century. There are distinct Italian and Japanese influences along with an Arts and Crafts undertone with a plethora of garden ‘rooms’ that lead on from each other offering interest throughout the seasons. Stone paths, low stone walls and wide stone steps lead throughout the garden. The azalea walk, fountain garden, Japanese garden, Italian garden with pool are complemented by terraced areas to admire and enjoy the staggering estuary views along with follies, gazebos and summer houses including an Arts and Crafts dovecote known as Dove Castle.

The garden is richly planted with specimen trees including; spruces, firs, pines, the umbrella pine (Sciadopytis verticillata), cedars, wellingtonias, araucarias, cordylines and cypresses. The mature shrubs include rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and Japanese maples. Rhododendrons and azaleas are particularly extensive and create a spectacular display in early summer. Throughout the hedging is formal, with yew, box and rhododendron predominating. The walled kitchen garden, no longer in use, can be viewed via a stone tower. There are a number of ruined buildings within the grounds including those of a former inn, ancilliary buildings and a former duck pond.

Running through the grounds and bordered by a high stone wall ensuring complete privacy is the famous Panorama Walk that leads into Barmouth. Behind this the mature woodland rises above the gardens.

The estuary and quay
The grounds extend along the estuary which offers the benefit of a wide frontage and private Quay. Originally laid out as vegetable and cutting gardens the estuary is now set pasture with stone walling and mature tree and shrubs.

The overall acreage is 35.83.

The outbuildings
Set below and to the side of the house the outbuildings offer a superb opportunity for the future with immense potential for a variety of uses. In time they could be developed into a home office suite, swimming pool leisure complex, holiday cottage or staff accommodation subject to the necessary planning consents. There is extensive garden storage, a mushroom house and garaging accessed via the secondary driveway along with the glasshouses.

Driveways
Approached from the road there is access to the main and secondary driveway. The main driveway rises in a zig zag format up towards the house passing the courtyard of outbuildings and lined with laurel and rhododenron as well as a rare anchor plant (Colletia paradoxa). The large formal parking area opens to a wide Italianate style terrace with vast and awe inspiring estuary views. The secondary driveway passes the greenhouses with access to the garaging and rises to the open area above the outbuildings.

Location
Abermaw, or Barmouth, is a sea-port and market town on the North West coast of Wales. The town itself is beautifully situated on the northern side of the river. The view from the beach is magnificent: the hills on the opposite shores of Caernarfonshire are seen in the distance to the west and, towards the north, the view of the sea is bounded by mountains. Snowdonia National Park is just 500m away, with all the outdoor activity that it has to offer. There are many North Wales attractions within easy reach: Dyfi Nature Reserve, Zipworld, Bounce. Below, the Italianate village of Portmeirion, and numerous castles.

This property is no longer available

Floorplans

6 bedroom detached house for sale